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One Missing Piece That Could Help the Blue Jackets Turn Things Around

By Curtis Deem |
COLUMBUS, OHIO - DECEMBER 05: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates a goal during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena on December 05, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - DECEMBER 05: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates a goal during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena on December 05, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
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The Blue Jackets are off to their second consecutive disastrous season, and it’s evident that they need a lot of help. But, I think a lot of their issues would solve themselves if they could actually find one missing piece.

Without beating the dead horse too much, the Blue Jackets are just not good enough this year. Last night’s 7-3 loss to the New York Islanders leaves them with a record of 8-15-5 (21 points) – actually one point fewer than they had through 28 games last season (10-16-2, 22 points). I’m not sure what we expected from this team, but it wasn’t this. They’re terrible.

We thought this group would have no problem scoring goals, but instead, they sit 25th in the NHL with an average of 2.86 goals for per game. Defensively, they’re still a mess; sitting 28th in the league with a 3.50 goals against average. The sad thing is, they’ve actually improved quite a bit defensively – I would argue that they’re right about where I expected them to be at this point. We knew they would struggle on that side of the puck, after their performance last season, and with all of the new faces coming in.

Dec 7, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) passes the puck as New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) defends during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) passes the puck as New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) defends during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

The difference between last year and this year: we can’t blame this team’s plight on a rash of injuries. Yes, there are a few guys sitting out right now due to various ailments and an illness running through the club. But, at this point last year, it might have been easier to count the number of regulars who actually were in the lineup, rather than the ones who were not.

There is one glaring piece missing from this puzzle, and I don’t think this team will be worth anything until they find it.

Their play this year has signaled one major weakness, in my opinion: they need immediate help down the middle.

Center is the one position on the ice that can directly affect both your goals for and against in a big way. I chose the featured image in this article because without intending to do so, it illustrates the obvious: the Jackets have nobody capable of playing with Johnny Gaudreau, no true top-line center. Currently, they’re rolling out Boone Jenner, Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, and Sean Kuraly down the middle. Stack that up against the Islanders, or the Devils, or any other Metropolitan Division – or NHL team – and you can quickly see the uphill battle this club is facing.

Now, in two years, I think this group will actually be really good. Add in Cole Sillinger, who (offensive struggles aside) has shown flashes of being a reliable two-way center. Maybe Luca del bel Belluz can come in and help, or Kent Johnson will transition into that role. They’re probably going to end up with another high pick at next summer’s draft – so maybe there’s more help on the way there. The problem is, that’s years away, and this team is terrible now.

For right now, in the immediate moment, they have to do something to correct this issue. You know how they acquired two defensemen over the summer, to buy time for their top prospects? They need to do that for their young centers as well.

ELMONT, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Adam Fantilli #11 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders at 10:08 of the second period at UBS Arena on December 07, 2023 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ELMONT, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Adam Fantilli #11 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders at 10:08 of the second period at UBS Arena on December 07, 2023 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

This team has a variety of talented players on the wings. They have plenty of depth on defense. They’re even about to have three goalies on the roster. But they’re still rolling out a top line centered by a guy who spent the bulk of his career as a middle-six left wing; and they have two rookies featured on the second and third lines.

I’m not sure who might be on the table, or what their asking price might be. But at this point in time, any deal that does not cost the Jackets their 2024 first round pick, or one of the future core pieces; they have to consider. There should only be a few untouchables on this roster, and if the right player becomes available, you might have to part with someone you think highly of, in order to steer this ship in a better direction. Adding a center that can play on one of this team’s top-two lines, would make a huge difference.

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